Q Acoustics 3050i
Product Name: Q Acoustics 3050i
Product Description: Floorstanding Loudspeaker
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Design - 9/10
9/10
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Movies Performance - 9.2/10
9.2/10
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Music Performance - 9.2/10
9.2/10
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Inputs and Features - 9/10
9/10
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Price / Quality - 9.2/10
9.2/10
Summary
Total Score
Pros
- Very good overall performance
- Good bass and punchy vocals
- Affordable price
Cons
- Design is a bit catchy
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It’s always exciting to try out a new pair of speakers and especially from a well known company like Q Acoustics, so today we have the pleasure to review one of their latest floorstanding speakers, the 3050i. Although we weren’t able to review the predecessor of this series, the famous 3000 range, which had received praising comments and high scores for their performance the new 3000i range that is being replaced with promises to take what was already good and improve upon it.
The 3050i speakers are part of the 3000i family that include bookself speakers, a center speaker, a subwoofer and the floorstanding speakers we are checking here today and according to Q Acoustics they have undergone various improvements in order to enhance their sonic performance but at the same time keep the price at reasonable levels and as a result position them somewhere in the middle of the price ladder making them a good choice for those that want some quality speakers but without having extreme budgets to spend. But let’s start our Q Acoustics 3050i review to see if these speakers are as good as they seem.
Design, Inputs and Features
With a size of 40.2″ x 12.2″ x 12.2″ and a weight of 39.2 lbs (17.8kg) the 3050i have a very distinct look that differentiate them from most other regular floorstanders as curves and rounded corners are all you will encounter. There are no sharp corners or lines to be found and certainly they look like they came out of a futuristic apartment. With the grilles taking the upper half of the speakers and a simple Q for the logo under them the general look is simple but at the same time fresh and definitely interesting.
At the outside the cabinets have a semi-gloss, so to say, finish that is not shiny but definitely has a nice look to it compared to the usual speaker surfaces we have seen lately. Taking out the grilles the first thing we notice are the thick, chrome shiny bezels surrounding a 22mm high frequency driver sandwiched between 2 165mm bass/mid-range precision drivers while looking at the back we find a bass port and a pair of low-profile speaker terminals.
And while the 3050i speakers feature a very distinct and characteristic look what is inside the cabinets is what really make these speakers more interesting. Q Acoustics made sure to use top-of-the-line technologies that originate from their high end Concept 500 series including P2P and HPE. P2P (Point to Point) technology makes the enclosure more rigid by stiffening the necessary parts and thus creating a more accurate soundstage while HPE (Helmholtz Pressure Equalizer) technology is used to reduce the cabinet resonance by using a vertical tube filled with dampening material, something very useful to tall loundspeakers that tend to resonate at a single favored frequency.
The 3050i feature a 22mm soft dome tweeter which is decoupled from the baffle with the help of a suspension system in order to minimize interference from the woofer and thus offer improved performance. The 165mm mid/bass drivers feature an impregnated and coated paper cone and surrounded by a low-hysteresis rubber which according to Q Acoustics offers a balanced performance between stiffness and self-damping. This 2-way reflex system is, based on the specs, able to deliver a frequency response of 44Hz to 30kHz, crossover frequency of 2.5 kHz with 91dB of sensitivity and 6 Ohms impedance.
Q Acoustics seems to have paid attention to small details that elevate the overall quality and makes the 3050i so much better by providing magnetic grills which is a rare in this price range while the low profile binding posts make wire connections so much easier. The provided spikes come with a Hex tool for easy calibration and stabilization on the floor and we were able to have them ready in just a few minutes.
Q Acoustics 3050i come in 4 different colors to choose from with Arctic White, Carbon Black, Graphite Grey and English Walnut being the ones available.
Performance
We connected the 3050i as the front channels in our Onkyo receiver and used the built-in calibration system to balance all speakers in our home theater before we start our movie testing.
Movies
When it comes to testing floorstanding speakers there are 2 films we usually try. The first being the 4K UHD version of Saving Private Ryan as it comes with an energetic Dolby Atmos track, perfect for any speakers testing. Obviously the most iconic scene couldn’t be other than the landing of the Allied Forces on Omaha beach. From the first moment when the camera shows the soldiers in the marine boats you get a sense of the audio qualities of the 3050i speakers. From the marine engines, the waves hitting on the metal boats or artillery shells falling on the distant background the 3050i managed to reproduce all information faithfully.
When the soldiers reach the beach and the real mayhem starts the speakers manage to keep very good control of everything happening in each scene. We noticed that the speakers were a bit strong on the bass but this didn’t bothered us at all as this didn’t come at the expense of the highs which were clear and well defined. When the German machine-guns were ripping through the American soldiers you could hear their characteristic trumping metal sound very clearly reproduced while other sound effects were of equal quality. There is a lot going on in this scene and the 3050i manage to reveal a lot of details that you usually cannot hear in low end speakers.
Q Acoustics has really created a very good overall and balanced speaker and Saving Private Ryan was a film that proved that to us. Artillery strikes had the necessary oomph, machine-guns and weapons in general felt real while environmental effects like rains drops or the scratching tank tracks in the distance during the last battle of Ramelle created an expanded soundstage to all directions.
The second film we tried out was no other than the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King with the siege of Minas Tirith starting with the ride of the Rohirim being the point where we selected to watch from. The film comes with one of the best DTS-HD Master Audio tracks as there is no 4K version yet to try out but nevertheless the results were astounding. Ground shaking, metal clashing and foul beasts screaming created an amazing atmosphere that the 3050i were able to deliver. Again we noticed a similar behavior here as the bass felt a bit more pronounced but in no way did this interfere with the mids or highs which were clear and energetic providing very distinct dialogue.
Closing this part we will just say that the Q Acoustics 3050i managed to perform admirably by providing big speakers dynamics and giving you a sense of scale and smoothness that we usually see in more higher-end speakers. They offered plenty of resolution and clarity and felt balanced enough even if a bit strong on the bass. Great work from Q Acoustics as they managed to create a speaker that offers real value for money.
Music
Moving on to our music testing we chose a selection of FLAC tracks as usual with different rhythms and tunes that we streamed to our receiver. The 3050i revealed immediately a rare agility in the lower end something that was evident from the start but at the same time the vocals were very solid and clearly defined. Overlapping instruments were masterfully managed by the speakers giving a good sense of space while sudden shifts in dynamics never made them loose their grip.
Pushing the speakers into higher volumes didn’t reveal any distortions and the cabinets were able to deliver sound that was clear and very detailed. Q Acoustics 3050i are budget-friendly speakers that can definitely perform like they cost more and in the end this should be considered a success for Q Acoustics.
Final Thoughts
The Q Acoustics 3050i managed to pleasantly surprise us with their performance. Even though they are considered middle-range loundspeakers they managed to perform much better than expected. And although the design is unique that some may like while others will find it a bit too much, what matters in the end is the acoustic result that they can offer and in this regard the speakers managed to get very good scores.
With technologies that come from higher end models the 3050i manage to bring quality from higher-end to mid-level for a more or less affordable price. The Q Acoustics 3050i offered us a very enjoyable time both during our movies and music testing and we definitely suggest them to anyone who wants some quality speakers but are afraid to spend a lot of money on some more top-of-the-line models.
For more reviews you can check our dedicated Floorstanding Speaker reviews list or even look at our Product Reviews Table where you can find the brand and specific product you are looking for.
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*We are a reader-supported website. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Home Media Entertainment does not accept money for reviews.*
Specifications
- Crossover Frequency : 2.5 kHz
- Dimensions (H/D/W) : 40.2″ x 12.2″ x 12.2″
- Enclosure Type : 2-Way Reflex
- Frequency Response : (+3 dB, -6 dB) 44Hz – 30kHz
- Impedance : 6 Ohm
- Power Input : 50-165W
- Sensitivity : 91dB (2.83 V@1 m)
- Tweeter : 22 mm (0.9 in)
- Weight : 17.8kg / 39.2 lbs
The Q acoustics 3050i is a very good speaker and would be ideal for use in a home cinema. The users of this speaker will definitely enjoy premium sound for the money paid. I absolutely believe the Q acoustics 3050i is an amazing deal, and provides good value for money. Really worth recommending!
I agree with you Louis. For the money they cost you get much more in terms of sound quality. Very much recommended.
This is lovely and I can say this is the most comprehensive review I have ever read about Q Acoustics 3050i speakers. Obviously the pros outweighs its cons which makes them much more recommendable. The specifications are great and this has prompt me to do my purchase with immediate effect.
Thanks for this eye opener.
You are welcome Ola. I hope our review helped you make up your mind.
I never knew that tall speakers suffer from a specific internal, unwanted resonance frequency. Good to know.
I’m a recording studio owner so I deal a lot with professional studio monitors. I’m glad they’re not tall and thin, otherwise I’d be quite worried right about now!! Lol
Forgive my ignorance, but what the heck is “impregnated paper”??!! Sounds, uh… kinda creepy. ‘-)
I see, through the specs, that the drivers reproduce frequencies up to 30 kHz. Why would they do that when humans can only hear, at our BEST, up to 20 kHz???
FLAC tracks, eh?? I use those in the studio to prepare my ears for mixing. Good to know somebody else out there prefers music without loss-y compression covering up the good stuff!
You are asking very good questions there. First of all “impregnated paper” means that many coatings are applied to the driver material during the actual fabrication of the diaphragm, essentially impregnating it, as opposed to just applying it over the material afterward.
As for equipment that produce frequencies higher that what we can hear it’s been a debate if it is really worth it or not. In my opinion equipment that advertise just the 20Hz-20KHz limits are never able to reach those. So by having extended limits, which usually you see in more expensive equipment, it means they use better components and the chance of really covering the whole frequency spectrum is higher.
As for FLACS we live in a world full of mp3 music and people don’t really know what good quality means! I am also glad that there are people out there that know what good quality means 😉
Dear Stratos,
Thanks a lot for a very thorough and comprehensive review post. You have given me plenty to think about here. This review is so thorough it opened my eyes to all sorts of information I wasn’t aware of!
I am amazed while reading at your testing methods and you have provided in-depth and detailed information on Q Acoustics 3050i. Indeed you have saved us a lot of time via your research.
The Specifications, pros and cons you shared are very helpful in making our purchase decision. To be honest I am in need of a speaker and for sure this is on my list.
My only concern is the pricing…
For my budget I personally feel the price is bit high. May I ask is there any other options or suggestions for a budget between $400 – $500 please.
Best wishes to you, your family and your success,
Warm Regards,
Paul
Hey Paul. The 3050i are indeed great speakers and can perform well above their price. But if your budget is lower than that then you will have to give me a bit more details of your needs if you want me to suggest specific models.
This is a great review. I love listening to music especially with a good sound system. You have put everything in perspective from the brand name, to it pros and cons, to cheapest place to buy, to design features, to performance. Reading this review anyone can easily make an educated decision. Considering the features and price I think it’s a good model.
Are they available in the local market? Maybe it’ll be cheaper without shipping cost!
Thanks for sharing. I will love to get one for myself as a birthday gift.
Greetings. You will have to check your local retails to see if you can find it, for that I cannot help you. But from wherever you decide to get them rest assured they will offer you countless hours of musical pleasure.
Nice review on Q acoustics 3050i. I must commend you for taking your time to write this review about it.
I don’t have this this new set of speakers, but it seems like to get my attention in many ways.
I am the type of guy that like to party at home every weekend with my friends. Having this set of new speakers will really go a long way to add to the fun with loud blazing sound
The speakers are good both for music and movies so they will definitely suit your needs.
Como se comportan estos altavoces frente a los dali spektor 6 o cual seria su rival en la marca danesa Dali
Hello Frank. Please next time leave your message in English as I had to use translator to understand what you wrote.
Between the two I would say that the Q Acoustics are better overall. But they are more expensive also. But if you have the budget go for the Q Acoustics for sure.
Thank you very much now I am writing to you in English precisely thanks to your review I have bought the q acoustics 3050i here in my country peru the price was on sale almost at the same price as the dali spektor 6 that is why my question and my doubt I think I made a good choice Thank you
Nice one Frank. I wish you enjoy them. Let me know if you need anything else.
Great review article about Q Acoustics 3050i and excellent writeup too. I’m thinking about changing my speakers and this really got my attention. You clearly stated all I need to know about the 3050i, and judging from your writeup I’m able to come up with some cons but with which I’m comfortable with. Great work reviewing this.
Hello Ayodeji. I hope our review was helpful to you to decide.
Hi, I read your whole review about Q Acoustics 3050i. I like the design of these speakers. From all the speakers I have looked so far the 3050i design was the most unique and attractive. The 3050i speakers will definitely be great for any movie lover. If I gifted the Q Acoustics 3050i to someone, then he would for sure bounce from happiness. I am going to share it with my friends.
Thank you so much for this.
I am glad you like these speakers. Their design is definitely unique.
Hi everyone, kindly guide me to purchase floor standing, very much confused between qacoustics 3050i & Polk audio RTI A7 my usage is 80% movie’s & 20% music…have to paired with Denon avr1500h, kindly guide for best match.
Both are very good and really depends on which one you prefer the most acoustically. I would give a slight edge to the Q Acoustics but this is totally a personal preference and what I would choose between the two. But to be sure only if you hear them both you can be sure which you like the most.
Thanks buddy, kindly guide I have to upgrade receiver from Denon 1500 to Denon 3600 within 3 months, do qacoustics 3050i will match with them… I have auditioned both speakers but was confused. Currently using taga harmony 806f they are bright & I want balance sound.
Between the two I would say that the RTi A7 were a bit more bright so from what you tell me I think the Q Acoustics are a better option for you. But as I told before your ears are the best judge. If you have listened to both of them and you cannot make up your mind, well that’s a tough one. I Would still go for the Q Acoustics to be honest.
As for the Denon AVR-X3600H, the receiver can handle the 3050i just fine.
Thanks stratos, you solved my problem….. have finalized 3050i & 3090i
I am glad you decided. Anything you need let me know.
Hi Strato, Have you had the chance to listen to the Fyna Audio F303? If so, how would you compare them to the 3050i?
I have the F303, but was very impressed by the soundstage of the 3050i in hifi shop, though I don’t think I would get the same results back home. Your knowledgable opinion would help me!
Hey Oliver. I can understand how you feel. Unfortunately I cannot comment on the F303 as I didn’t have the chance to hear them yet. Why do you think that the 3050i wouldn’t perform the same in your house?
Greetings from Spain, very good review.
I have two very specific questions, how would a SVS SB-1000 Pro subwoofer suit the Q Acoustics 3050i to listen to stereo music, FLAC and MQA mainly?
I have been offered some second hand but practically new Klipsch RP-8000F and SVS Prime Pinnacle, are they much better than these 3050i?
I listen to music of all kinds, but mainly electronic and classical music.
Thank you very much.
Translated with http://www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Hello Tomas. Basically you have two questions. For the first one I would say it depends on if you are very much into the lows. The Q Acoustics will definitely appreciate the extra extension the SB-1000 pro can offer. And since it’s a sealed design it will sound excellent with any music.
As for your second question. I haven’t tried the 8000F, only the 5000 and 6000 I was able to get my hands on, but I would say that at least the SVS is a step above the 3050i. But when it comes to speakers I strongly recommend that you go and hear them as all three of them have different acoustic signatures and you may prefer one over the other. The most expensive does not necessarily mean the best for your ears.